Horse park director defends his stewardship of attraction

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – The Kentucky Horse Park’s executive director has defended his stewardship of the tourist attraction in an appearance before state lawmakers.

Jamie Link made his comments before a Senate committee that voted Tuesday to revamp the commission overseeing the horse park in Lexington.

The bill’s sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, says “things have gone awry” at the horse park.

Thayer’s bill would reduce membership on the park’s governing board from 17 to nine. Current members include the wife of former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.

Thayer is also calling for a full performance audit of the park.

Link says he fixed numerous problems he inherited that were found in a prior audit of the park. He says his staff members are “good custodians” of expenses.